vla

This place is amazing to the point of being borderline incredible. One of the most amazing things is the extent to which this community consumes refreshing beverages before and during travel with BA.

I was perusing an earlier thread today when I was on the train -- I think it was sammyh25 -- saying that the bar contents were under review.
I'm pleased to be offered drinks from the bar onboard British Airways flights. But I've often wondered what, specifically, comprises said bar?

We spend an absolutely inane amount of time discussing the relative merits of this and that beverage served at this and that premium passenger lounge on the ground.

And of course BA spends a nominal amount printing wine lists for Club and First passengers in the air. (Whether they actually serve them is another question of course.)

And, indeed, at the back of the in flight magazine(s) -- mostly High Life but maybe Business Life, I guess I don't really know because I don't really care (!?) -- a list of drinks on offer in (short-haul) economy class is provided.

So, what is actually in a BA bar? Particularly in the non-wine field, particularly in the premium classes.

Although I love the language evoking the promise of "a complete range of classic and timeless spirits, digestifs and liqueurs" as well as "a selection of traditional and modern drinks" -- what does that mean actually? And, most importantly, why haven't we talked about it here at excruciating length already?

JAXBA

Having once drunk a SIN-BNE flight dry of lemonade while in Club, I can help with the soft drink range! Coca~Cola/Schweppes have been the soft drink providers for as long as I can remember and the list has hardly changed in some 20+ years. The one change I know of is that Sprite replaced Schweppes Lemonade some years ago.

Here's a link to the menu from my recent LHR-MIA in Club World. Skip to page 4 and "The Bar" is listed there. (I'd copy and paste but the PDF is copy protected).

Swiss Tony

I recall a very amusing thread on the BMI forum some years back where people were trying to figure out what cocktails could be made from the contents of the rather poorly stocked bars in the diamond club lounges.

Poor man's bucks fizz (Beer & OJ) being a prime example.

angatol

.....

onobond

And that's the airline bought by IAG?

JMurray

Indeed I've always wondered about how on Earth BA calculate the quantities of who wants what and so on, to avoid running short.

I suppose it's through trial and error and based upon past experiences of crew etc..

Fruitcake

Well, I suppose canned / bottled drinks don't go off in the way that food does. So they can I suppose carry more than they need - as long as the weight doesn't become problematic...?

I've usually been able to get what I asked for in all classes. It's an important differentiating part of BA I'd say - feels hospitable even on very short flights. ^

TravellerFrequently

IAG - International Airlines Group.

Littlegirl

There is a review being undertaken right now looking at what we carry too much of and what we carry too little of. A number of crew are being specifically involved in this and the wider crew community is also being canvassed for their ideas and views.

It costs a huge amount in fuel burn to carry around stock that does not get used but also it is very annoying for passengers if we run out. So that is why BA are looking into this and being very careful not to remove products that passengers like and to adjust our stock in an appropriate way with products that passengers regularly ask for.

dnajockey

Please pass on the message that Glenlivet 15 is not, never was and never will be a premium single malt!

Thanks

Littlegirl

Ok, but I have to say that a lot of passengers like it but maybe another malt would also be popular. Which one do you like and of course it needs to be one that would be available in miniature form, ie. a household name brand.

TravellerFrequently

I am sure it is a logistical nightmare for the reasons you mention.

In CE and CW, a small range of liqueurs is required, in addition to 'premium' gin, vodka, whiskey, cognac etc

Whilst many of us like having champagne in quarter bottles in CE, not all of us are keen on Pommery.....

CT-UK

Well it isn't dynamic loading as they have run short on my flights a few times

Greg66

Poor man's? I'd call that a serf's bucks fizz.

T8191

"To Fly. To Drink"

Sadly I usually have to drive when I get off the big shiny jet, so it's not a big issue for me

However, on the last couple of trips the full wine list has been available in J, so that's a good start ^

As to the 'premium spirits', I'm just a wino ... unless there's some Calvados or Armagnac available